elote

noun

elo·​te ā-ˈlō-(ˌ)tā 

variants or less commonly elotes

plural elotes

: grilled corn on the cob that is coated with a creamy spread (such as mayonnaise, sour cream, or crema) and garnished with toppings (such as lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder)

In Mexico, elote … is a popular treat sold as a street snack by sellers that push wooden carts parked outside government buildings, public schools, state fairs … or any other place where people gather.

—Mely Martínez

Just as you may see elote offered at street fairs in the United States, it's also a popular … food in Mexico. Who can resist grilled corn slathered with crema and sprinkled with bold spices?

—Edgar Castrejón

Elotes is the famous Mexican street food of corn brushed with creamy mayonnaise, cheese and lime.

—Lilly Higgins

Elotes are almost all I want to eat by the end of the summer.

—Leah Eskin

called also Mexican street corn, street corn

compare esquites

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish of Mexico and Central America, "fresh ear of corn," borrowed from Nahuatl ēlōtl

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above